Interlock for vapor recovery apparatus



Aug. 13, 1957 c. J. GOSSELIN INTERLOCK FOR VAPOR RECOVERY APPARATUS Filed Oct. a. 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l 5 25 bun/u: J L If" .x \J Y INVENTOR.

VIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII GAMBLE! J 60:55; W

Aug. 13, 1957 c. J. GOSSELIN INTERLOCK FOR VAPOR RECOVERY APPARATUS 5 SheetsShest 2 Filed Oct. 8, 1956 INVENTOR.

CHn/ae: J 60.93150 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. CV/oezerJ 601560 firm/mews Aug. 13, 1957 c. J. GOSSELIN INTERLOCK FOR VAPOR RECOVERY APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8. 1956 United States Patent INTER LOCK FOR VAPOR RECOVERY APPARATUS Charles 'J. Gos'selin, Long Beach, Calif., assignor of onehalf to Martin A. Nishkian, Long Beach, Calif.

' Application October 8, 1956, Serial No. 614,688

22 Claims. (Cl. 141-307 The present invention relates generally to vapor recovery systems and more particularly to a novel interlock for use therewith.

When a gasoline tank truck is unloaded into the underground storage tank of a retail service station hydrocarbon vapors are vented into the atmosphere, such vapors being displaced by the rising gasoline level. It has been through at a location removed from the filling station,

the steam andhydrocarbon content thereafter being condensed so as to recover the absorbed hydrocarbons. Although an activated carbon-containing canister will provide excellent results, other types of vapor recovery devices may also be employed in carrying out the present invention.

It is a major object of the present invention to provide an interlock for use with a vapor recoverydevice adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a storage tank as the tank is-filled with liquid. This interlock positively insures that the liquid cannot be unloaded into the tank until'the vapor recovery device has been operatively connected thereto. Accordingly, essentially complete recovery of the vapors released from. the storage tank during a loading operation may be efiected.

Another object of the invention is to provide an interlock of the aforedescribed nature which is positive and foolproof in operation.

An additional object is to provide an interlock of the aforedescribed nature which is inexpensive to manufacture and install.

Yet another object is to provide an interlock of the .aforedescribed nature that is compact in size and light in weight.

A further object of theinvention is to provide an interlock of the aforedescribed nature which is simple in design and rugged of construction whereby it may afford a long and trouble-free service life.

A more particular object is to provide an interlock for use with a vapor recovery device adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a storage tank having a liquid fill line, which interlock includes a valve in the fill line that cannot be opened until the vapor recovery device is operatively attached to the tank.

A further object is to provide an interlock of the a foredescribed nature which may be readily installed upon existing gasolinestorage tanks. 7

These and other objects and advantages of the present irgyentipn will become apparent from the following de I tailed description when taken in conjunction with th appended drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational viewof a first form of interlock embodying the present invention;

Figure 2' is a fragmentary enlarged central vertical sectional view of said interlock;

Figure 3 is a further enlarged vertical sectional view of a detail of said interlock;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a valve element of said interlock;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a cap employed with said interlock;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a second cap employed with said interlock;

Figure 8 is a central vertical sectional view of a'vaporreceiving canister employed with said interlock;

Figure 9 is a perspective view, cut partly away in section, showing a second form of interlock embodying the present invention;

Figure 10 is a top view of the interlock of Figure 9 taken partly in horizontal section;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the second form of interlock;

Figure 12 is a side elevational view of a modified form of interlock embodying the present invention; and

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a detail of Figure 12.

Referring to the drawings and particularly Figures 1 and 2 thereof, the first form of interlock embodying the present invention is shown in conjunction with a conventional gasoline tank truck T that is unloading gasoline into the underground storage tank U of a retail service station. The tank truck T is formed at its lower portion with an outlet fitting 20. The lower end of this outlet fitting 20 is connected to one end of an unloading hose 22. The opposite end of this unloading hose 22 is secured to conventional coupler elbow 23 that is selectively engagable with an adapter 24. The adapter 24 is mounted upon the upper end of the nozzle 26 of the storage tank U. A fill line 28 extends through the nozzle 26 into the lower portion of the tank. A vapor return line 30 extends from one side of the tanks nozzle 28 with the upper end of this vapor return line being formed with a receiving member R for a vapor recovery device V. As the level of the incoming gasoline rises within the storage tank U, the gasoline vapors and air disposed above the rising gasoline level will be displaced upwardly out of the tank through the vapor return line 30 into the vapor recovery device V. In this manner these hydrocarbon vapors will be prevented from passing into the atmosphere leaving only the air from which the hydrocarbons have been absorbed to pass to atmosphere.

More particularly, the first form of interlock includes a valve 32 mounted in a valve body 34 which is interposed between the adapter 24 and the upper end of the fill line 28. The valve body 34 is generally cylindrical and includes a vertically extending bore 38 having a diameter approximating the inner diameter of the fill line 28. The upper end of the valve body 34 is of reduced diameter and externally threaded to receive the lower end of the adapter 24. The adapter 24 is formed with a bore 25 coinciding with the bore 38 of the valve body 34. The lower portion of this bore 25 merges into an enlarged counterbore 27 that is internally threaded to receive the upper portion of the valve body 34. The

m flange adapted a n e t e e. e s S e ve return line is disposed within. a. bor e;2: formed in the lower end. of the. receiving member R Thereceiving member R includes an open-topped cup 54. This cup] 54.

isrigidly'connected to. the valve body: 34 by meansof a support plate 56. p

Thevalve32 isofa. butterfly type having its mid-portion afiixed to a horizontally extending rod; 58;. This.r,od;58 is rotatably supportediwithin the valve body 34; byaligned horizontal bores 60 and 62 formed inthe valve body. The. opposite. end of the valve rod 58. extends. into a pocket 64 formed in-one of the side walls of the cup.- 54 indicatedin Figure 3, this pocket 64 is covered by a platef66' that is rigidly affixed to the cup 54; by bolts-68.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, a coilspring 70,- encircles;

the portion of the valve rod 58 adjacentthecup 54. One

end of this spring 70 is afiixed to the plate 66 while; theother' endis affixed to the valve, rod ;58. With this; arrangement the spring 70 normally biases the valve. 32. to its: closed position indicated by-dotted lines-in; Figure 5;.

As show-1.1 in F gure 2. nd: a am finger; key d to. the portion of the valverod58disposed-within the cup 54. This cam finger 7:2, is;v normally maintained in its horizontally extending dotted outline position of Figure, 3

bythe. spring;- 70. Movementof the; cam finger: to its downwardly extending position shown in solid outline in; Figure; 3 will effect concurrent movement of the valve32.

from-its closed position shown in dotted outline'in Figure. 5' to'its. open position shown in solid outline in Figure 5.

Thevapor recovery device: V shown hereincomprisesa generally cylindrical canister. 74 filledwith a. hydrocarbon. absorbing medium '76, such as activated carbon. The construction of this canister 74. is shown in detailinrF-igure8 and referring thereto it will be observed that its. bottom: wa'1l'78 is. formed with a dependingzinlettube 80. A-screen.

8'2. coversthe upper endofthis inlet. tube 80. A pair of radiallyextending. pins 81 extend from diametrically; op:

posed" poiutson the intermediate portion of the inlettube 80 fora purpose to be set forth hereinafter.

The upperend" of the canister- 74. isclosediby a cover" plate 84. This cover plate 84 is. removablyheld' in place by a plurality of wing nut and bolt combinations.86. Au. upstanding discharge tube 88 is forrr'red'on the cover plate 84; a screen 90- covering the lower end thereof. A carryinghandle 92 is formed at the mid-portion of the cover plate 84; Preferably, a pair of vertically extendingbaffies 94and 96 are mounted within the canister for controlling the flow of vapors therethrough. The lowerend of the bafile-94is afi'lxed to the bottom-wall 78 adjaoentone side of the inlet tube 80. The upper end of this baffle 94 terminates below the cover plate 84L- The other baffie 96 d'epends-from the-cover plate 84. adjacent one sideof the-dischargetube8'8; Its= lower end terminates-abovethe bottom Referring again to Figure 2, the upper end of-the cup;-

54" is formed" with "a pair'of diametrically opposedJ-slots 98-; These slotsare adapted to receive thepair of 'pins' 81" formed on the inlet tube80 so as to support the canister ing operations. The upper end of'thewadapter- 2-4 isuor mally closed by a conventional latch-type cap 104-shown Figure 7.

of the sleeve element 44' internal y When a gasoline unloading operation is to take place the truck'operator will first remove thecap 104 from the upper end of the adapter 24. Next, he will latch the coupler elbow 23 to the adapter 24. The cap 102 is then removed from the upper end; of the cup 54. The cup 54 will then be ready to receive the inlet tube 80 of a canister 74. As the inlet tube 80 is lowered within the cup its lower end will engage the horizontally disposed cam finger 72. Further downward movement, of the inlet tube 80 will cause the cam finger 72 to be pivoted. in a, cloC,k,wis e direction to its downwardly extending position shown in'soli'd outline in. Figure 3'. will effect concurrent pivoting of they valve 32 to-its open position shown in solid outline in Figure 5. Thus,v the cam finger 72 and cam rod 58" serve as release'mean'sfor the valve 32. The unloading; of the gasoline; may then take place. It should be particularly observed that such unloading cannot take place, however, until the canister 74 has been operatively engaged with the open end of the vapor. return line 30. Accordingly the trucleoperatoriis forced to utilize the hydrocarbon vapor. recei-yinggcanistent and he cannot through neglect or lazinesstdispense withite.

use. Hence, the-interlockofi the;pr .esent: inveution insures that the hydrocarbons vapors displaced from the-storage: tank U- will be recovered and not; releasedto) the 311111.055 phere.

As: the gasoline flows; downwardly through the; filllinei 28, hydrocarbon vapors admixed; with any air in the tanks. ill f r ed pwar ly hro gh; he; annulus: 105.- betweem the outer surface of theyfill line28 and. theginnenxsunfaoel of the nozzle 26 to the lower; endlofj the-vapor return'line 30-. Thevapors will thenpass upwardly through the:cup:.

54.-and inlettube 80 into the: lower end of the;canisten74;..

These vapors will then; follow the, path. indicated. by the. directional arrows in Figure-8 between the;bafiies 9,4: and 6sand' finally emerge through the: canistefsdischarge tube; t th nclusion f he. gasoline unloading. opera tion; the anister,7.4 will be removed from the: cup: 54:...

Upon upward withdrawaliof the canisters. inlet tube'80',i.'

the spring; 70will, return. the, cam finger '7-2 and the valvei-v. 32 to their originalpositions. The caps102 and 104rwill 'a then: be replaced.

Conveniently, asupply of the=-canisters.-74lmay be trans ported on the tank truck T. When the acti'vatedwa-rbom.

of the canisters becomes saturated; with. hydrocarbon vapors,- the. latter may beastrippedfrom' the .carbonibyr steam or hot .gases at a. location removed from: the service: station; Thereafter; the activated carbon-ewillabe availables for. re-use;. The. hydrocarbons. on gasoline fractions: stripped; fromv the. activated. carbon" can be recovered. cooling: and: condensing the-.S.tripping steam. and hydrocarbonsvaporizedfromithe.absorbentz Referring now. toFigures 9, l0,- and: 11,.therezissshoWnr aasecond; form. of interlockv embodying: the present invention:. This; second form' of interlock. is generally! similar to the aforedescribed first formianct likerpar-tsihear? primed reference numerals. This second; form-lincorporates.a different type ofyalve thanthat employedtwithi thea first form. This valve, designated 110, is ofz-the swing: checlc. type and is mounted. within achollowe valve body 112.. The upper end OfilhiSlVZllVfi body. 1:12:is:f'ormed: with a threaded bore 114 that receives the lowenendaofr' anzadapter 241. The lower end of the. valvei body; P12 is. formed: with a threaded. bore 116; which: is: secured; to: a. short length of pipe 118 having its lowerrendeboltedito; the upper end of a sleeve e1ement:'44'-.. Thelvalve bodyr. 112.,isformed above the lower-bore 1'16-with;adiagonally extending partition 120 wherein isformediiaa; boreiz- 1222' A..seal ring 124;. is pressed into;this-b0re-.122i T'hewalve; 110 includes a. sealing-. disc 126 adaptedito be receivedf: by-the seatring 124. The-sealing disc-1-261is maintained: between a pair of retainers 1 28 and--130 by a'= M132; This bolt-1'32 also'secures the assembly comprising the sealing disc -1-26and retainers'128 and"130 tothe'= free* end of an arm 134. The opposite *end offithis am 134' is keyed to; one end of a horizontally" extendingivalve rod-136. The valve rod 136 isjournaled-= within a Bess Suchmovement of the cam finger 138 formed at one "side of the valve body 112. Preferably,

the valve body 112 will be formed with a removable side cover 140 permitting access to the parts of the valve 110.

The end of the valve rod 136 opposite the valve body 112 extends into a pocket 64' formed in a sidewall of the cup 54' of the receiving member R. This pocket 64 isiclosed by a plate 66'. A cam finger 72' is keyed to the end of the valve rod 136 disposed within the pocket 64. A coil spring 70' having one of its ends secured to the valve rod 136 and its other end secured to the plate 66" serves to constantly bias the valve 110 towards its closed position shown in Figure 9. With the valve 110 arranged in its closed position, the cam finger 72' will be maintained in its horizontally extending position shown in Figure 9. The remaining parts of this second form of apparatus are the same as that described in conjunction with the first form.

The operation of this second form of interlock is similar to that described hereinabove with conjunction with the description of the first form. When a gasoline unloading operation is to take place. the truck driver is forced to insert the inlet tube 80 of a canister 74' into the cup 54' in order to force the valve 110 to an open position, such insertion effecting counter-clockwise rotation of the cam finger 72 from its dotted outline position of Figure 11 to its solid outline position therein. At the conclusion of the gasoline unloading operation the inlet 80 of the canister 74 is withdrawn from the cup. The valve 110 under the combined influence of gravity and the force of the spring 70' will then return to its closed position.

Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, there is shown a modified form of interlock embodying the present invention. This modified form employs a large canister 200 which is carried at the side of'the truck T in place of the canister 74 utilized with the heretofore-described forms of interlock. The canister 200 is filled with a hydrocarbon vapor absorbing medium such as activated carbon. Its

rear end is formed with an inlet tube 202 and its front end is formed with a discharge tube 204. The inlet tube 202 is attached to one end of a' flexible hose 206. The opposite end of this hose 206 is connected to a nozzle 210 shown in detail in Figure 13. This nozzle 210 is formed with a pair of radially extending pins 212 and as indicated in Figure 13, these pins 212 are adapted to be received by the J-slots 98 of the cup 54. The remaining elements of this modified form of interlock may be identical to either the form of Figures 1 through 7 or Figures 9 through 11. p

p In the operation of this modified form of interlock, the coupler elbow 23 of the unloading hose 22'is connected to the adapter 24. As the gasoline enters the tank U through the fill line 28, the hydrocarbon vapors and air displaced from the upper portion of the tank will be forced through the hose 206 into the rear end of the canister 200. This mixture will pass through the interior of the canister 200 whereby the activated carbon contained therein may absorb the hydrocarbon vapors. Thereafter, the remaining air will pass into the atmosphere through. the discharge tube 204. The activated carbon within the canister 200 may thereafter be stripped of the absorbed hydrocarbon vapors so as to render the canister lie-usable.

It should be particularly noted that the main parts of the aforedescribed forms of interlock should be formed of a non-sparking material, as for example, aluminum, bronze or suitable alloys thereof. It should also be noted that although the interlocks shown and described hereinabove are particularly adapted for use with the unloading of gasoline, they may also be utilized in conjunction with the unloading of industrial solvents or other liquids having a vapor pressure of more than one pound per square inch absolute.

;. Various modifications and changes may be made with rfegard to the foregoing detailed description without de- 6 parting from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An interlock for use with a vapor recovery device adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a tank having a liquid fill line as said tank is filled with liquid, comprising: a vapor return line connected with said tank; a valve controlling flow through said fill line; means normal- 1y maintaining said valve closed so as to block said fill line; i

and valve release means operatively connected to said valve so as to effect the opening thereof when engaged by an element of said vapor recovery device as the latter is engaged with said vapor return line.

2. An interlock for use with a vapor recovery device adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a tank having a liquid fill line as said tank is filled with liquid, comprising: a vapor return line connected with said tank; a valve in said fill line; spring means normally biasing said valve towards a closed position so as to block said fill line; and valve release means operatively connected to said valve so as to overcome said spring means and effect the opening of said valve when engagedby an element of said vapor recovery device as the latter is engaged with said vapor return line.

3. An interlock for use with a vapor recovery device adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a tank having a liquid fillline as said tank is filled with liquid, com-' prising: a vapor return line connected with said tank; a receiving member for an element of said vapor recovery device in communication with said vapor return line; a.

valve controlling flow through said fill line; biasing means normally maintaining said valve closed so as to block said. fill line; and valve release means operatively connected to said valve so as to effect the opening thereof when engaged by an element of said vapor recovery device as said element is engaged with said receiving member.

4. An interlock foruse with a vapor recovery device adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a tank having a liquid fill line as said tank is filled with liquid, comprising: a vapor return line connected with said tank; a valve body formed with a bore disposed in the path of said fill line; a valve mounted in said bore so as to control flow therethroughya receiving member for an element of said vapor recovery device, said member being in communication with said vapor return line; biasing means normally maintaining said valve in a closed position relative to said bore; and valve release means operatively interposed between said valve and said receiving member for overcoming said biasing means and effecting the opening of said valve when said element is engaged with said receiving member.

5. An interlock for use with a vapor recovery device adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a tank having a liquid fill line as said tank is filled with a liquid, comprising: a vapor return line connected with said tank; a valve body formed with a passage disposed in the path of said fill line; a valve rod carried by said valve body; a valve operatively connected to said valve rod whereby movement of the latter Will effect concurrent movement of said valve, said valve controlling flow through said passage; biasing means normally maintaining said valve in a closed position relative to said passage; a cam finger operatively connected to said valve rod and engageable by an element of said vapor recovery device so as to overcome said biasing means and effect the opening of said valve when said vapor recovery device is connected with said vapor return line.

6. An interlock for use with a vapor recovery device adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a tank having a liquid fill line as said tank is filled with liquid, comprising: a vapor return line connected with said tank; a valve body formed with a bore disposed in the path of said fill line; a valve rod carried by said valve body; a valve operatively connected to said valve rod whereby ta-ining said valve towards a closed position relative to;

said here; and a cam finger supported in said receiving member, 'said'finger being operatively connected to said valve rod and engage'able by anelement of said vapor recovery device so as to overcome said biasing means and effect the opening of said valve when said vapor recovery device is engaged with said receiving member.

7. An interlock for use witha vapor recovery device having a generally tubular inlet element to receive the vapors displaced from a'tank having a liquid fill line as said tank is'filled with liquid, comprising: a vapor return lineconnected with said tank; a valve body formed with by said' inlet element so asto overcome said biasing meansand elfect the opening of said valve when saidvapor recovery. device is connected with said vapor return line.

81 An interlock for use with a vapor recovery device adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a tank having-a liquidfill'line as said tank'is filled with liquid, com prising: a vapor return line connected withsaid'tank; a" valve body formed with abore disposed in the path ofsaid fill line; a valve rod rotatably supported within'said valve body; a valve secured to said valve rod whereby rotation of the latter will etfect concurrentrotation'of" said valve between an open and closed position so as to control flow through saidbore; biasing means normallymaintaining said valve-in a closed positionrelativeto said bore; a receiving member for an element of said vapor recovery device, said member being in communication with said vapor return line; a cam finger supported on said receiving member and keyed to said valve rod, said c'arn finger being engageable by an'element of said vaporrecovery'device so as to'overcome said biasing means and effe'ctthe opening of-said valve when said vaporrecove device'is" engaged with said receiving member;

'9i A'n' interlock as set forth in claim 8' wherein said valve is of the butterfly type and said biasing meansis a-s'pring.

10; An interlock as set forth in claim 8'wherein said valve is of the swing check type and secured to said rod at one side of its center of gravity whereby said valveis'normally biased towards a closed position under the influence of gravity.

111 An interlock for use with a vapor recovery; device having-a generally tubular inlet element to receive the vapors displaced from a tank having a liquid fill line as said" tank is filled with liquid, comprising: a vapor returnv line connected with said tank; a valve body formedwith a bore disposed in the path of said. fill line; a valve rod rotatably supported within said valve body; a valve secured" to said valve rod whereby rotation of the latter will etfect'concurrent rotation of said'valve between an open and closed position so as to control flow through said bore; biasing means normally maintaining said valve in a closedrposition relative to said bore; a receiving mem-- 'ber formed with an annular cavity to telescopically receive the inlet element of said vapor recovery, device; said cavity being in communication with said vapor return line;uand a cam element-in said cavity and keyed to said valverod, said cam elementbeing engageable" by said" 8 inlet; element so: as; to overcome said biasing: means and effect the: openings of'sa-id: valve whensaid vapor recovery device connected: withtsaid vapor return line;

12.. A'nZi-interlocki as' set forth: in claim 11 wherein said valve-is of the? jbutterliy type and said. biasing means is aspring. 13.7 An. interlock as ,set forth in claimv 1.1 whereinasa'ict valve isof thewswing} check type and secured to said rod at one sid'e ofi its center of gravity whereby said valve is normally biased towardsa closed positionunderthe influence ofi gravity. i V

14. An interlock' fon use witha vapor recovery device adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a. tank as:

the latter i's'liilled' with liquid, said tank having a nozzle: and a liqui'd'fill? line concentric therewith, comprising: a'l vaporreturn line'conn'ectedto the upper portion: ofisaidi nozzle; a valve controlling flow through: said filli line; biasing; means: normally maintaining. said valve: closed s'o as: to: block said" fill: line; a. receiving member for anelement: of said' vapor-recovery device, said member-being: in communication with said vapor return line; and: valve. release means operatively interposed between said valve andlsaidi receiving member for overcoming: said= biasing: means: and effecting the opening: of said valve when said: element is engaged with: saidwreceiyingtmember.

1Z5. interlock toruseiwith: a vaporrecov'ery device adapted to receive: the vapors displaced from a tankra's? the latter'is filled with liquid, said tank having a'nozzle" and" aliquid :fill lineconcentric: therewith, comprising: a vapor'return line connected to theiupper portion: ofsaid nozzle; a valve body formed with a bore disposed inlthe path of' -said fille line; a valve mounted in said boreso: as to control: flow therethrough'; a.receiving:men1ber'for:an element of: saidlvapor recovery device, said member being in? communication with said: vapor return line; biasing x means normallymaintaining said valve in a: closed position: relative to saidbore; and valvel release means opera;- tively interposed; between said: valve: and? said receivingmember forovercoming said biasing means and effecting the-opening of saidvalve when said element isengaged with said-receiving member.

1 6. An interlock-tor use with a: vapor recovery device" adapted to receive: the-lvapors displaced froma tank as the latteris filledi with liquid, said: tank hayinga nozzle and' a liquid fill lines concentric therewith, comprising: a-

vapor returnline connected to theupper porti on'of said nozzle; a'- valve body formed with a bore disposed in the path ofisaid fillline; avalve' rodf carried by said valve body; a valve operatively connected to said-valverod whereby movement of the' latter will effect concurrent movement of said valve; said valve controllingflow through said bore; biasing-means" normally maintaining said valve in a closed position relative to said bore; and' a cam element supported on said receiving member, said element being operatively connected to said valverodand engageabl'e by an element'of said vaporrecovery device so as to" overcomesaid' biasingmeans and effect the opening of said valve when saidrvapor recovery device is" engaged 'with' said receiving. member;

17; An interlock for use With' a vapor recovery device adapted to: receive the, vapors displaced from a tank as the latter is filled with liquid, said tank having anozZle anclta liquidfill line concentrictherewith. and saidvapor recovery device havingra generally tubular inlet element-,. comprising: a? vapor. return line connected-to the upper portion of saidnozzle; a valve controlling flowthrough" said fill tline;.' biasing means normally maintaining; saidvalvecloseds' so as to: block said: fillrline; a receiving men! tber formed with an: annular cavity to telescopically're+- ceiveth'e inlet element of saidvapor recovery'devi'ce; said cavity being in communication with said vapor return line; and a cam element in said cavity so as to be*en'-- gageahl'e bysaid' inlet element; said cam; element being operatively connected to said valvewhereby the latterwill be opened upon the engagement of said cam and inlet elements.

18. An interlock for use with a vapor recovery device adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a tank as the latter is filled with liquid, said tank having a nozzle and a liquid fill line concentric therewith, and said vapor recovery device having a generally tubular inlet element, comprising: a vapor return line connected to the upper portion of said nozzle; a valve body formed with a bore disposed in the path of said 'fill line; a valve operatively connected to said valve rod whereby movement of the latter will eifect concurrent movement of said valve, said valve controlling flow through said bore; biasing means normally maintaining said valve in a closed position relative to said bore; a receiving member formed with an annular cavity to telescopically receive the inlet element of said vapor recovery device, said cavity being in communication with said vapor return line; and a cam element in said cavity operatively connected to said valve rod and engageable by said inlet element so as to overcome said biasing means and effect the opening of said valve when said vapor recovery device is connected with said vapor return line.

19. An interlock for use with a vapor recovery device adapted to receive the vapors displaced from a tank as the latter is filled with liquid, said tank having a nozzle and a liquid fill line concentric therewith, and said vapor recovery device having a generally tubular inletelement, comprising: a vapor return line connected to the upper portion of said nozzle; a valve body formed with a bore disposed in the path of said fill line; a valve rod rotatably supported within said valve body; a valve secured to said valve rod whereby rotation of the latter will efiect concurrent rotation of said valve between an open and closed position so as to control flow through said bore; biasing means normally maintaining said valve in a closed position relative to said bore; a receiving member formed with an annular cavity to telescopically receive the inlet element of said vapor recovery device, said cavity being in communication with said vapor return line; and a cam element in said cavity operatively connected to said valve rod and engageable by said inlet element so as to overcome said biasing means and effect the opening of said valve when said vapor recovery device is connected with said vapor return line.

20. An interlock as set forth in claim. 19 wherein said valve is of the butterfly type and said biasing means is a spring.

21. An interlock as set forth in claim 19 wherein said valve is of the spring check type and secured to said rod at one side of its center of gravity whereby said valve is normally biased towards a closed position under the influence of gravity.

22. An interlock as set forth in claim 19 wherein removable caps are provided for said fill line and said cavity.

No references cited. 

